WRU: Schools That Produce the Best Wide Receivers in the NFL

5. Ole Miss Rebels

•DK Metcalf (Seahawks)

•AJ Brown (Eagles)

•Elijah Moore (Jets)

DK Metcalf and AJ Brown terrorized SEC defenses during their tenure at Ole Miss. They started alongside each other for two seasons, with Brown being the standout statistically, while Metcalf’s athleticism left scouts day dreaming. Neither guy heard his name called on the opening day of the 2019 NFL Draft, but both exceeded expectations immediately upon their arrival. In six combined seasons, the duo has never recorded less than 896 yards. That low mark was set by AJ Brown this past season in only 13 games. They’ve caught at least seven touchdowns in each season, aside from the five touchdowns that Brown caught during his injury-riddled 2021. Brown was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles during the draft, getting paid a monster contract extension in the process. Metcalf could still be moved this offseason, but either way, it is a safe bet that he’s about to get paid as well. If the first few seasons as professionals are any indication, these two will be among the best in the league for many years to come. The guy I haven’t mentioned at all is on the cusp of breaking out, too. Elijah Moore, No. 34 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, enters year two poised to make a leap. Moore has the system down pat, and prior to a season-ending injury, he started to really figure things out down the stretch. In only 11 games, Moore caught 43 passes for 538 yards and five touchdowns. With Garrett Wilson now in tow, Moore should see a lot of single coverage. If he takes the jump in development, Ole Miss will be challenging for even higher placement on the WRU list.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes

•Michael Thomas (Saints)

•Terry McLaurin (Commanders)

•Chris Olave (Saints)

•Garrett Wilson (Jets)

•Curtis Samuel (Commanders)

•Parris Campbell (Colts)

•Noah Brown (Cowboys)

•Austin Mack (49ers)

Alright, it’s hair splitting time. Ohio State is well on its way to taking over the mantle at number one, but not quite yet. Terry McLaurin is a budding superstar, and Michael Thomas is a two-time All-Pro. The top-end talent is prevalent, but due to such uncertainty regarding Thomas and his ankle, it keeps me from vaulting them any higher. Curtis Samuel is a good player, and Parris Campbell has shown flashes, but neither are consistently healthy. Noah Brown and Austin Mack are quality depth players, but nothing more than that. The most recent additions to the club, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, are going to be phenomenal pros. Olave is paired with the aforementioned Thomas in New Orleans, while Wilson looks to be in line for droves of targets with the New York Jets. McLaurin and Samuel both welcome new quarterback, Carson Wentz, to the Nation’s capital, as he immediately becomes the best quarterback they’ve ever caught passes from. The common thread between these guys is that they are all proficient route runners, a trait that is likely to carry over as they progress to the later stages of their career. It seems like the program signs another five-star prospect at wide receiver each day, and with Jaxon Smith-Njigba on his way to being an early first-round pick in 2023, the sky is the limit for the Buckeyes.